Botany Bot

Recognition systems have evolved to ensure that a plant mates only with a genetically different plant and not with itself, hence preventing inbreeding. Recognition systems can be found in at least 100 plant families and 40 percent of species but until now, researchers have not known how the astonishing diversity in these systems evolves. Researchers have made steps towards deciphering how new mating types evolve.

Recognition systems have evolved to ensure that a plant mates only with a genetically different plant and not with itself, hence preventing inbreeding. Recognition systems can be found in at least 100 plant families and 40 percent of species but until now, researchers have not known how the astonishing diversity in these systems evolves. Researchers have made steps towards deciphering how new mating types evolve.